 By walker on 5/5/2006 I've raced, ridden with and consumed beers with these riders. I love their attitude - simple. Come on singlespeed riders, speak up! |
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I love singlespeeders... |
Forum: Single Speed Simplicity
justin says:
 Yep. It's a special feeling, passing someone who's riding a tricked out, full-squish race bike, wearing really expensive stretchy clothes and listening to trance music on a new iPod. Especially when you're on a fully rigid, cheap Taiwanese frame with one gear, wearing Carhart shorts and a cotton T-shirt and an 8-year-old helmet. They try to catch up, but they just can't stay with you. "Yeah, buddy, I'm doing this with one gear," you think. And that sweet satisfaction lasts for about a mile of two-stroke-per-minute pedaling, until they pass you as you're gasping on the side of the trail, dying maybe, just trying to keep your heart from popping out and bouncing down the trail. Their pedal strokes are smooth, their clothes are sweat-wickalicious, their steady cadence beat-matches with the music and they hardly look at you as they go by. "Yeah, [gasp] buddy, I'm doing this [cough] with one gear," you think. Singlespeeding bestows pride and humility in equal doses. It doubles your lung capacity and destroys your knees. It costs 1/3 as much to build a singlespeed, but you end up needing three. It makes that parking lot beer taste better, but you drink it all alone since most of your riding buddies are either fifteen minutes ahead or fifteen minutes behind. Singlespeeding is simple, but it sure ain't easy. |
walker says:
Justin, What about the backcountry? I've heard that a singlespeed is at home in the backcountry. They dont' have gear issues, they are lighter when you have to hike-a-bike and, well, they are simple to maintain if you do have a problem. What are your thoughts? Walker T Off the road, on the mind... |
justin says:
Well, I've broken a lot of chains on geared bikes, but never on a SS. There's a measure of security you get just by eliminating some of the complexity of the machine. And you can't gum up or rip off your derailleur, which is nice. Mud, twigs, big toothy rocks: None of 'em faze the SS. You just keep pedaling and the bike keeps moving, no worries. Still, sometimes when the camelbak goes dry and the last jerky is et, it's nice to know you have a few more clicks in that right shifter, no? Derailleurs are complex, maybe even a tiny bit evil, but they sure do give you more options besides "Stand up and push." You can see I'm no SS evangelist... |
rudymexico says:
I am starting to get me parts for my first singlespeed, but everyone is saying "is the simplicity of the bikes" yeah right, I have seen some hi-tech suspension, hi-tech hydraulic brakes, even full suspension SS, so, where is the simplicity there? I think I will try it with cantilevers/ V brakes and rigid or simpler suspension fork like like old style Manitou´s |
pedro1 says:
full suspension ss is just not right. rigid the only way to go. im the only guy in my group to go single and i outride most, all with a bottle of grand manier and a pack of camel lights |
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